EVERY YEA R, South Bay skiers and snowboarders hold their collective breath and watch the Sierra weather reports. What will it be: a welcoming series of snowstorms to blanket Tahoe ski areas? Or fickle flurries that bypass our state, leaVing us high and dry and dependent on snowmaking machines? ~ If the forecast is dire and you have your heart set on nature's own powder, look northeast-to Idaho. Located less than two hours away by air from Mineta San Jose International Airport, the Gem State is home to 18 resorts encompassing 20,000 ski-able acres. It's safe to say that whatever your skill on the slopes or your preferred winter sport, there's a resort in Idaho ready to fulfill your vacation dreams. ~ Of course, world-famous Sun Valley in the central part of the state remains one of the best reasons for hopping a plane rAKE f/OUR PICK OF rHREE 8EN8ArIONAL- 8KI VACArlON8 WHERE rHE POW1JER18 pL-ENrl-fUL-, to Idaho. The resort attracts hordes of visitors and celebrities, such as Arnold Schwarzeneg- ger, Tom Hanks and Demi Moore, eager to take on legendary Bald Mountain with its perfect pitch-3,400 vertical feet of fall line with no flats and no plateaus. And winter weather is exceptionally sunny. ~ No Idaho ski report would be complete without a full rundown on the latest happenings at glorious Sun Valley, but as an added bonus, we invite you to become acquainted with two lesser-known resorts, as well. Each of our featured resorts has amenities and characteristics tailor-made for a customized vacation in heaven-sent snow. » Nutcracker on Ice," the Torchlight month renovation project is under Parade, Tree Lighting and the Holi- way at Sun Valley Lodge and is ex- day Window Stroll are all scheduled pected to be finished in June 201S. to be held at the Sun Valley resort The guest rooms, lobby and restau- this holiday season. rant at the famous lodge are being A number of festivals take place refurbished, and a 20,000-square- in the area throughout the year, with foot spa and salon is in the works. the well-known Sun Valley Nordic For visitors this season, there are Festival planned Jan. 3D-Feb. 7, 2015. rental condominiums, homes and This nine-day event is marked by the historic lOS-room Sun Valley Inn. special activities, races and clinics, The inn features newly remodeled culminating in the exciting Boulder guest rooms, large and small suites Mountain Tour. Another big draw for and four three-bedroom apartments adults is the Sun Valley Film Festival to accommodate groups and fami- in March, presenting indie films, dis- lies. Among amenities is an exercise cussions, panels and parties. room, where visitors can stretch tight muscles next to an outdoor -fIND THE WAC( Sun Valley glass-enclosed swimming pool. is served by Friedman Memorial Air- Another lodging option is the port (SUN), about 20 minutes away Knob Hill Inn in Ketchum. This hotel from Ketchum and the resort. From has beautiful European furnishings, Mineta San Jose International Air- luxurious linens and breathtaking port (SJC), you can reach the resort views of the surrounding mountain with a connecting flight from Salt ranges. Breakfasts are complimenta- Lake City or Seattle. SJC also has f you have a bucket list of places to ski, you must include ry. Guests may also enjoy an in-room direct flights to Boise (BOI), and from this resort. Its history goes back to 1936, when Sun Valley massage, a dip in the heated pool or there, you can rent a car for a three- Lodge became America's first destination ski resort. In the a soak in the hot tub. Free shuttles go hour ride to Sun Valley. In addition, early years, movie stars such as Clark Gable, Bing Crosby to town in the evenings and during from mid-December to the end of and Gary Cooper came regularly. Lucille Ball brought her the day to Baldy. March, United Airlines offers daily family. In later years, Picabo Street trained here, and fellow nonstop service from San Francisco ~ Olympians Peggy Fleming and Dorothy Hamill were guests. Airport (SFO) to SUN. The Sun Val- e In 1977, the late R. Earl Holding and his wife Carol acquired chow down where the locals go? ley resort provides a complimentary ~ ownership of the property and developed it extensively. Today, Head to the Pioneer Saloon in down- shuttle to guests. Taxis and rental ~ the resort offers accommodations at the magnificent Sun Valley town Ketchum. Not only do skiers cars are also available. ~ Lodge and Sun Valley Inn, plus a charming village with shops and from all over the U.S. patronize the o ~ eateries, a spa, indoor and outdoor ice rinks, a golf course and historic restaurant, but so do plenty ~ a Nordic and Snowshoe Center featuring 25 miles of groomed of friendly residents. Bask in Old ~ tracks and 14 kilometers of snowshoe trails. West decor and dig into signature <t Gung-ho skiers and snowboarders gravitate to Bald Mountain steaks, prime rib and Idaho potatoes. > ~ because of its steepness. Nearly 65 percent of the mountain is For top-rated French cuisine, try a rated "more difficult" or "most difficult.') The longest run is 3 Michel's Christiania in Ketchum. And > ~ miles while the steepest run, Inhibition, has a 35-degree slope. if you're in the mood for romance, ('"5 The capacity of its 19 lifts and one gondola is 29,717 riders per take a 3D-minute nighttime sleigh u g hour, but the average per day is only 3,000. That means during ride to the charming Trail Creek a. the busiest weekends, wait time in line is no more than 10 min- Cabin restaurant in Sun Valley. On o ; utes. When the lifts shut down, three award-winning day lodges your way back, you may be fortunate o ~ pick up the action and become lively party venues. to see foxes trailing the sleigh, hop- ~ Baldy, as the mountain is affectionately called, is accessed ing for a treat. g'" through the historic town of Ketchum, a commercial and retail ~ hub with shops, restaurants, art galleries and hotels. CJ ~ One look at the size and slopes of Bald Mountain is enough Street in Ketchum becomes a lively ii: to make beginner and lower-intermediate skiers head to Dollar apres ski party scene once the sun ~ Mountain, a more gentle option with six lifts, 14 runs and a verti- goes down. You can dance to West- ~ cal rise of976 feet. Within walking distance from the Sun Valley ern music, ride a mechanical bull or ~ resort, this site also features Carol's Dollar Mountain Lodge, with listen to live music. During the day, tj a new restaurant and children's center. Recently, 76 new rails were vacationers also like to go tubing, <t ~ added, along with a new 22-foot super pipe. This winter, skiers snowmobiling, snowshoeing, cross f- ~ and snowboarders will also experience a lengthened Family Cross country skiing and ice skating. The is Course in competition. annual production of "Christmas Eve create an appealing ambience. And on the mountain, the Outback Inn lo- cated in the Outback Bowl, wins high praise from hungry skiers. die-hard skiers and snow boarders, Schweitzer caters to other winter visitors as well. You can go snow- mobile touring to the backcountry, snowshoeing on quiet trails, tubing with or without the kids at Hermit's Hollow Tubing Center and, when weather permits, zip-lining down 700 feet while enjoying breathtak- ing views of Lake Pend Oreille. It's also worth driving to the town of Sandpoint, 11miles from the moun- tain. Rand McNally voted this charm- ing spot the "Most Beautiful Small f you find that the glamour of Sun Valley pales against a Town in America" for its friendly vision of sprawling, wide open and pristine terrain, follow clusters of condominiums stand at people, gorgeous scenery and ter- your heart to gigantic Schweitzer Mountain Resort. Locat- the base of the mountain. Selkirk rific food. Visitors enjoy browsing ed in the northwest corner of the state, this up-and-coming Lodge, with its alpine appearance, through the shops and taking in a destination resort offers a vast landscape, short lift lines, few has 82 slopeside rooms ranging show at the historic Panida Theater, tracked-out days and glorious powder snow. from hotel-style floor plans to ele- a former vaudeville and movie house For skiers and boarders who live and breathe theit sports, gant suites. Amenities include com- from the 1920s. Schweitzer Resort is a dream come true. The site encompasses plimentary breakfast, underground a whopping 2,900 acres with a top elevation of 6,400 feet-a parking and the use of three hot tubs. riND IHE WAC( Daily flights height that helps skiers schuss all day long without getting eleva- The White Pine Lodge features con- from SJC connect to the airport in tion sickness-and a vertical drop of2,400 feet. First timers can't temporary mountain architecture Spokane (GRE). From there, you can believe how large and unpopulated the area is. Wait time for a with a Northwest flavor. Amenities rent a car and drive two hours to lift? One minute! include complimentary breakfast, Schweitzer Mountain, in Idaho's pan- Schweitzer's 92 designated runs also give skiers and boarders outdoor hot tubs and the onsite handle region. plenty of choices, with the longest descent being 2 miles (Little Gourmandie, a specialty food market Blue Ridge Run). Experts soon discover that the face and the that carries products from around Outback Bowl offer extra thrills.